SMBC Principal's Hour

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul makes the astonishing claim that we could do great exploits for God, sacrificing much in the process, and yet that it could all amount to nothing if we lack love. How, then, can we learn to follow the way of love? In this chapter, Paul shows us why love is indispensable to any true ministry, what it looks like in practice as it turns us toward others, and why it alone endures into eternity.

In 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Paul says that God has deliberately incorporated us into the body of Christ. By definition, a body is unified yet diverse, requiring difference in order to be a body. And this isn’t just about gifts, it is about people first. God deliberately wants to bring diverse people under the lordship of Christ. Which means he will give gifts out to his people in such a way as to reinforce our need for every single one of us.

How do we approach the role of spiritual gifts in church? Do some people have more value because they appear to take more prominence? In this passage Paul lays the foundation for everything he will go on to say in 1 Corinthians 12-14 about spiritual gifts and our use of them in church life. Who is “spiritual”? Who is able to be of use in church life? What are gifts anyway, and what are they for? What Paul says here is essential to know before we dive into wider discussions about spiritual gifts.

God’s people have been brought together in Jesus, to be one people under him. Living this unity, as his church, is paramount. This means his people are to prioritise the maintaining of their unity, avoiding anything that damages or compromises it. To create divisions in God’s church goes against the very essence of what it is to be God’s people.

How should the freedom we have in Christ be expressed in church? As Paul turns his attention to the Corinthians’ public meetings, he begins by addressing the ways people were presenting themselves. Both men’s and women’s head covering practices were creating problems, but how does this relate to us? What do “heads”, head coverings, honour and shame have to teach us about how we should gather together?

As Christians, we are to flee from idolatry and false worship, instead worshipping God alone. And yet we are also commanded to go into the world to make disciples, becoming like people in order to win them. How do we manage that tension? How do we reach people engaging in false worship without joining them in their false worship? When it comes to becoming all things to all people, how far is too far?

In 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, the sad example of the exodus generation from Israel’s history serves as a warning for the church at Corinth. Just as then, we (unfortunately) have plenty of examples of people who have started well but failed to finish. The goal for all Christians is to hear those wonderful words from Jesus: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” May it be so.

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul says he willingly surrenders his own rights and freedoms, even the right to get paid for his work. Why would he do this? And what might it mean for our lives?

Theological knowledge is precious. And yet, if we misuse it, it can cause us and others profound spiritual harm. 1 Corinthians 8 contains an important warning for all of us who value theological knowledge and seek to grow in it.

Making decisions can be stressful. We worry that if we choose badly, we may pay the price later. And as Christians who are called to participate in God’s work in this world, it feels like the stakes are high when we make decisions! We want to make the most of our opportunities. So there are two things we need: to learn how to make good decisions, and how to manage the stress of the process! In Proverbs, we find precious wisdom from God for both of these things.